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January 25, 2013|Laura Soll, Windsor Public Schools, Windsor

On Jan. 17 and 18, artist Andres Chaparro met with each of the fifth grade classes at John F. Kennedy (Intermediate) School in Windsor to show the students how he combines his love for jazz with his abstract painting career.

Chaparro brought many of his colorful paintings to the school's Art Room and shared his creative process and the meaning of each one. As jazz music played, the Windsor resident painted on canvas to demonstrate how jazz music inspires him and explained how he incorporates poignant actual events into his artwork. As part of the classes, he guided students as they drew their own abstract art self-portraits.

Chaparro's visits were part of the John F. Kennedy School's PTO-sponsored Guest Artist Program, which has been introducing artists to students for more than 17 years, according to Carol Giardi, the school's Art Teacher. The school's Guest Artist Program was designed to introduce professional artists to students so they can view and learn about their artwork, understand why they create, observe how they create, and learn about the artists' perspective on their artwork.

Chaparro is a Hartford-born artist who is self-taught. He paints on various surfaces and uses a variety of techniques. He even engages his own children in the process, setting them up with their own materials and encouraging them to create "off the cuff" as he does. Chaparro's work is fluid and free. His paintings reflect more concern for spontaneous emotion than traditional conventions, and incorporate found objects, and strong color contrast.